How do I use hair straighteners in Poland?

Polish power outlet

Will my hair straighteners work in Poland?

Check your hair straighteners can work in Poland:

  • If your hair straighteners can run on 230 volts or can support dual voltage (how to tell) then you will only need to use the correct power adapter listed below if the plug on your hair straighteners won't fit.

If not then:

  • Use a power converter (or voltage transformer) - you can then use your existing hair straighteners and other applicances with a 230 volt Polish power outlet, however this is substantially bulkier, heavier and more expensive than dedicated travel hair straighteners. A voltage transformer changes the voltage but won't change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit in the power outlet used in Poland, therefore check that the voltage transformer includes a power adapter for Poland otherwise you will need to bring another power adapter. Also worth noting that your personal hair straighteners might not be suited for travel and you risk damage in your luggage. [7] [AD]
Warning: If your hair straighteners won't handle 230 volts you run a risk of damage to your hair straighteners, an electrical fire hazard or blowing a fuse. Prior to using your hair straighteners in Poland read the instruction manual to ensure safe operation.

Using hair straighteners in Poland

Will my hair straighteners work in Poland?

This depends on if your hair straighteners is designed to handle the 230 volts which are used in Poland. If you're using either dual voltage hair straighteners or your hair straighteners is designed to handle 230 volts and you have the appropriate power adapter then you should be able to use the hair straighteners in Poland. If not then you will need to consider bringing either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or a heavier and more expensive power converter. Read our section on do you need a power converter to use your domestic hair straighteners for help deciding which option is more suitable. [7] [AD]

Poland power outlets and plug sockets

What electrical frequency is used with a Polish power outlet?

The frequency of the alternating current found in a Polish power outlet is 50Hz. [8]

What voltage is used in Poland?

Power outlets in Poland are 230 volts.

Which plug adapter do you need to use  hair straighteners in Poland?

Type C and E power outlets

Which plug adapter do you need to use hair straighteners in Poland?

There are two types of power outlets used in Poland, types E and C with the primary power outlets being type E:

  • Plug Type C - You can identify this wall outlet by 2 adjacent holes.
  • Plug Type E - You can identify this wall outlet by two adjacent holes and one metal earth pin protruding in the top in a triangle configuration.

A suitable plug adapter to bring to use 230 volt hair straighteners in Poland is a Type E power adapter - read the step by step guide below for full details of how to use a plug adapter for Poland. Note that unless you that have dual voltage hair straighteners you will need to confirm if you need to bring a voltage converter.  [6] [9] [AD]

Dual voltage hair straighteners

How can I tell if my hair straighteners are dual voltage?

Single voltage hair straighteners

How can I tell if my hair straighteners are dual voltage?

An easy way how to tell if your hair straighteners can support a dual voltage outlet is to look for either a sticker or numbers printed on the plug or handle. The location will vary depending on the make or model of your hair straighteners and could also state in the instruction manual. Some dual voltage models might change automatically, however other models will have a switch which allows you to operate between different regions.

  • A specific number such as 110V indicates single voltage hair straighteners. If this number matches the 230 volts used in Poland then you should be able to use your hair straighteners with a Polish power outlet.
  • A small voltage range with a dash such as 100-120V also indicates single voltage hair straighteners which can accomodate small voltage fluctuations. If the 230 volts used in a Polish power outlet falls within the range shown on your hair straighteners then you should be able to use it in Poland.
  • A larger range separated with a dash or slash such as 100/240V indicates dual voltage hair straighteners capable of being used in Poland or any other country.
 [2] [AD]

Travelling to Poland with hair straighteners

Can you bring hair straighteners in your hand luggage to Poland?

Travel hair straighteners with heat protective cap

Can you bring hair straighteners in your hand luggage to Poland?

According to the TSA guidelines for hair straighteners there is no restriction on bringing mains powered hair straighteners in your carry on hand luggage through airport security in the US. The TSA suggests that you should check that your airline that is taking you to Poland will allow hair straighteners onboard and that they will fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat of the airplane. Packing the hair straighteners in a dedicated heat resistant protective hot tools travel case leaves them easily accessible when going through airport security checks, they can be packed away quickly avoiding a tangle of cables in your carry on luggage (the TSA suggests wrapping cables tightly around hair straighteners). If you intend to pack fragile or expensive hair straighteners in your hand held luggage then it is recommended to bring hard carry on luggage as this offers the most protection against bumps and knocks during your journey.    [2] [10] [11] [12] [AD]

Is it safe to bring my hair straighteners to Poland?

It is preferable to bring dual voltage travel hair straighteners instead of bringing your existing domestic hair straighteners to Poland as it ensures that they will work with the 230 volt power outlets used with a Polish power outlet, as long as you use the correct power adapter for Poland. Be aware that bringing expensive domestic hair straighteners could place them at risk because of potential loss or damage in your check in suitcase by an airport baggage handler. The cost of repairing or replacing expensive specialised hair straighteners in Poland could be more than purchasing cheap dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] . If you intend to bring your own hair straighteners in your suitcase either slide them inside a boot or sneaker to protect from light knocks, or use a shockproof and heat resistant hot tools travel case or heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons which will also allow the hair straighteners to be transported right after use without risk of burning.   [11] [13] [AD]

Power converters for Poland

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter?

Voltage converter

What is the difference between a power adapter and a power converter?

A small, cheap and lightweight power adapter (or plug adapter) will change the shape of the plug on your hair straighteners to fit into a power outlet found in Poland, but a more expensive and heavier power converter will convert the voltage of 230 volts from a Polish power outlet to work with non-230 volt hair straighteners. [7] [AD]

Do you need a voltage converter in Poland to use hair straighteners?

The correct type voltage transformer (or power converter) will allow hair straighteners using a different voltage to work using a 230 volt power outlet used in Poland. Travellers who want to use their own domestic hair straighteners can use a power converter, however it can be a lot less expensive to buy dedicated dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] than it is to buy a power converter. In addition, travel hair straighteners can be noticeably lighter and smaller than a power converter making travel hair straighteners more suited for packing. [7] [AD]

Hair straightener safety

Are hair straighteners dangerous?

The temperature of the ceramic plates used in hair straighteners can reach over 200 degrees with the potential to burn hair, skin, and even start a fire if not used correctly. According to figures from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service electrical beauty products have been responsible for an estimated 650,000 fires in the United Kingdom alone.

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

A heat resistant glove

How can I minimise risk using hair straighteners?

  • Skin protection: Wear heat resistant gloves during styling to protect hands from heat.
  • Children's protection: With 10% of children's burns being caused by hair straighteners it is recommended to look for flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag to keep the plates closed shut when not in use, making it easier to store out of reach of children.
  • Luggage protection: Placing hair straighteners directly into luggage without allowing them to cool down can risk damage to clothes and heating up combustible or flammable packed items. If your hair straighteners weren't supplied with a heat protective cap then wrap them in a heat resistant mat or use a hot tools travel case to pack them into luggage whilst warm. A travel case will also keep expensive hair straighteners protected from damage during transit.
  • Hair protection: Applying a heat protectant spray prior to using hair straighteners is essential to prevent burning, as well as using the correct technique for your hair type - read our guide on how to use hair straighteners for comprehensive information.
  • Fire protection: It can take up to 40 minutes for hair straighteners to cool down so resting your straighteners on a heat resistant mat could reduce the risk of setting fire to furniture. Forgetting to turn off hot domestic appliances can also cause fires. This risk can be reduced by using a model of straightener with a timer socket which will turn itself off automatically after a certain length of time, you can also add this feature to any basic straighteners by using a timer socket in a power outlet.    [11] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [AD]
How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

Hair straighteners connected to a timer power outlet

How can I add a safety timer to my existing hair straighteners?

1 in 12 owners of hair straighteners admit to forgetting to turn them off after use, unless your hair straighteners have a built in automatic timer then leaving them on could potentially start a fire. However you can add this functionality to any model even if it doesn't have an integrated timer:

  1. Add an automatic timer to any hair straighteners by plugging them into a timer socket then plugging the timer into a power outlet.
  2. Turn on the timer and use the hair straighteners as normal.
  3. After you have finishing using the hair straighteners turn off the power at the outlet.
  4. However if you forget to turn the power outlet off then the timer will automatically switch off the straighteners after a pre-set length of time. Depending on the model of timer this could be 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes - ideally pick the shortest length of time possible.
  5. For added peace of mind use a power outlet splitter to share the outlet from the timer with both your hair straighteners and a lamp. When the timer is running both the straighteners and the lamp will be turned on, making the lamp a clear indicator that the straighteners are still being heated. When leaving a room it is second nature to ensure all lights are turned off, if the lamp is still on then this acts as a reminder to switch off the straighteners.
  [16] [18] [AD]

How to treat a hot iron burn

If you accidentally burn yourself run cold water under your burn and if it is severe it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor or hospital.

How to use hair straighteners in Poland using a type C power adapter

A step-by-step guide showing you how to power hair straighteners in Poland by using a 2 pinned Type C travel adapter.

  1. Check that your hair straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or can work with a 230 volt power outlet but if not then don't proceed because you may damage your hair straighteners, blow a fuse or create an electrical fire hazard. Some dual voltage travel hair straighteners might sometimes have a switch to toggle between voltages, before using your hair straighteners make sure you have set it to accept 230 volts - please consult the owners manual to find out how to do this.
  2. If the plug shape on your hair straighteners isn't the same type of outlet which is used in Poland you'll need to use a Type C plug adapter [4]. The Type C plug adapter is designed to adapt different plugs from other countries for a power outlet used in Poland simply by changing the shape of the plug, however the adapter doesn't change the voltage of your hair straighteners to work with a 230 volt outlet.
  3. Start the process by taking the Type C plug adapter and plugging it into the Polish power outlet. The plug outlet, sometimes known as the Europlug, is recognised by the two circular holes adjacent to each other for live and neutral pins.
  4. Next plug in the hair straighteners into the Type C plug adapter.
  5. Turn on the Polish power outlet. The hair straighteners are now ready to use. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Poland using a type C power adapter

How to use hair straighteners in Poland using a type E power adapter

How to use your hair straighteners in Poland with a Type E power charger.

  1. Please make sure that the straighteners are either dual voltage travel hair straighteners [2] or is compatible with a 230 volt power supply - but if it doesn't then do not continue as you could create an electrical fire hazard, damage your straighteners or blow a fuse. Before using a travel straighteners which can toggle between different voltages ensure the switch is set to the 230 volt setting for use in Poland; refer to the instructions for more details on where this switch is located.
  2. You will need to bring a Type E plug adapter [6] if the type of plug on your hair straighteners isn't the same shape as the plug outlet used in Poland. This power adapter will convert plugs on appliances from other countries for use with an electrical outlet in Poland by changing the shape of the plug, but it doesn't change the frequency or voltage of the hair straighteners to work with a 230 volt supply.
  3. Begin by inserting the Type E plug adapter in the wall outlet. You can identify this wall supply by two adjacent holes and one metal earth pin protruding in the top in a triangle configuration.
  4. Plug in your hair straighteners into the Type E plug adapter.
  5. Switch on the Polish power outlet.
  6. The straighteners can now be used in Poland. [AD]
How to use  hair straighteners in Poland using a type E power adapter

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Poland country Wikipedia page
  2. Amazon - dual voltage travel hair straighteners
  3. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  4. Type C plug adapter - An unearthed Europlug Type C travel adapter with two 4mm rounded pins placed 19mm apart, designed to fit a variety of sockets commonly used across Europe, including Italy, France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Iceland..
  5. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  6. Type E plug adapter - A CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plug compliant Type E adapter designed with a focus on safety, featuring two round pins and an earthing hole. Ideal for use in the France, Belgium, Poland and several African nations..
  7. Power converter - Heavy-duty power converters are designed to convert voltage levels between different electrical standards, shifting between 110V/120V and 220V/240V with both 50Hz and 60Hz, often incorporating safety features such as fuse protection and circuit breakers..
  8. Wikipedia - WikiPedia - Mains electricity by country -
  9. iec.ch - IEC World Plugs by location -
  10. tsa.gov - TSA guidelines for hair straighteners -
  11. Hard case for hot tools - Hard case designed for storing and protecting a flat irons, curling irons and hair straighteners.
  12. Hard carry on luggage - Example of hard cases, suitcases and luggage suitable for airline carry on.
  13. Heat resistant mat pouch for hair straighteners and curling irons - Protects surfaces from hot hair irons and wraps around the appliance allowing instant packing into baggage.
  14. Heat resistant gloves for hair styling - Heat resistant glove recommended to protect skin against the risk of heat from a curling iron, flat iron or hair dryer.
  15. Heat protectant spray - Thermal protector spray used prior to styling with heated tools such as blow dryers and flat irons.
  16. Energy saving outlet with timer - Automatic power shut down of a connected appliance after a preset length of time.
  17. Flat iron hair straighteners which include a heat resistant bag - Example of hair straighteners with a protective bag suitable for travel.
  18. Power outlet splitter - A power outlet splitter transforms a single wall outlet into multiple AC outlets which is a practical solution for using multiple appliances in locations with limited access to power outlets, such as hotels or airports..